Reinforced heel and tap



April 1966 F. M. RONCI 3,243,900

REINFORCED HEEL AND TAP Filed Aug. 21, 1958 INVENTOR. FERNANDO M. RONCI Y BY .J// 9 TORN EY United States Patent 3,243,900 REINFORCED HEEL AND TAP Fernando M. .Ronei, Providence, RI. (2 Atlantic Blvd., Centredale, RJ.) Filed Aug. 21, 1958, Ser. No. 756,329 6 Claims. (Cl. 36--34) My present invention relates to the shoe making art and more particularly to a novel construction of a heel and tap.

The prinicpal object of the present invention is to provide a modern narrow elongated heel for a womans shoe having a reinforcing core.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel tap construction for narrow womens heels.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a combination tap and reinforcing core which is long wearing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a heel and tap construction which is easy and economical to manufacture and assemble.

With the above and other objects and advantageous features in view, my invention consists of a novel arrangement of parts more fully disclosed in the detailed description following in conjunction with the accompanying drawing and more particularly defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a womans shoe having the heel and tap of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation, partly in section of the heel and tap.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged bottom view of the tap.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the combination tap and reinforcing member.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged vertical section of the bottom end of the heel showing another form of tap construction.

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing another form of tap construction.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing an alternative form of tap mounting.

In certain types of womens shoes a very narrow spike heel has become extremely popular. These heels are normally molded of plastic material and taper from a broad top to a main heel portion which is one half inch or less in diameter. Such heels often break when the Woman steps downwardly at an angle. In my copending application above referred to, I described a construction in which the narrow portion of the heel is provided with a metal core for strengthening and preventing breakage. In the construction shown therein a metal tap was used with a metal screw which was elongated to provide the strengthening action for the heel.

The present invention provides the same metal core for strengthening the heel with variations in the heel construction to overcome certain objectional features. Also, the present application provides a construction which utilizes the long wearing qualities of the reinforcing core in combination with taps made of various materials.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the shoe 10 is provided with a heel 11 having a broad top 12 tapering to an elongated narrow portion 13. The heel 11 is made of plastic material and is provided with a vertical opening 14 which extends from the bottom of the heel upwardly through the narrow portion and well into the top portion. If desired the opening 14 may be extended completely through the heel. Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, I now provide an elongated reinforcing member 15 preferably of tempered steel. The reinforcing member 15 is provided with a tapered snubbed end 16 at one end and a thin fiat head 17 at the other end of slightly larger dias shown in FIG. 2.

3,243,900 Patented- Apr. 5, 1966 ameter than the body of thermember 15. The member 15 is approximately the same diameter as the opening 14 and is provided with means for holding the member 15 in the opening. In my copending application above referred to, the reinforcing member is shown provided with threads. For purposes of illustration the present application shows the member 15 provided with fluting. Other holding means such as a self-driving screw, or 'knurlings can also be used. The member 15 can thus be forced into the opening 14 as shown in FIG. 2 until the shoulders on the enlarged head 17 abut the bottom of the heel.

The tap for the bottom of the heel comprises'a member 19 flattened on one side to conform to the shape of the heel and having a central opening of the same diameter as the head 17. The tap 18 is of the same thickness as the head 17 and may be frictionally mounted on the head or cemented thereto. When the tap 18 and reinforcing member 15 are assembled as shown in FIG. 4

and then forced into the heel as shown in FIG. 2, it is essential that some means be used to prevent the tap 18 from rotating. In the illustrated form the tap 18 is formed with a plurality of small openings 19 through which a tiny nail 20 can be driven into the heel to hold the tap and prevent rotating movement.

The above construction has many advantages. The tap 18 can be formed of a variety of materials. It can be formed of metal and thus provide a standard metal tap. However, metal taps are often objected to. In such case the tap 18 may be made of leather, nylon, or any other material. Note that the tempered steel head 17 is flush with the bottom of the tap as shown in FIG. 2 and acts as a wear plate and resists wear and thus protects the tiny tap from wearing out.

FIG. '7 illustrates an alternative construction in which the openings 19 and nails 20 are eliminated. In this form the head 21 and tap 22 are provided with complementary flutings 23. Instead of the flutings 23 the head 21 may be rectangular or hexagonal and the tap 22 may have a complementary opening. In any event the irregularities of the head'21 and the complementary opening in the tap 22 will prevent relative rotation between the tap and the head. In such constructions the tap may be glued or cemented to the head and if desired to the shoe. Furthermore, in the constructions shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the tap may be removed and replaced without removing the reinforcing member 15.

As had been stated previously some women object to the noise of a metal tap and may even object to a tap made of other materials if the metal head shows through In such cases the constructions shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 may be used. In these forms the meal head is completely concealed but is so constructed as to form a reinforced backing for the tap.

In the form shown in FIG. 5 the heel 24 is provided with the reinforcing member 25 similar to the member 15. However, the tempered steel head 26 in-this form is approximately half the thickness of the previous form. The tap 27 may be of leather, nylon or similar material and is provided with a recess of the same size as the head 26 so that it covers the head. This form of tap may be cemented into place or may be nailed in similarly to the form shown in FIG. 3. The head 26 will provide a firm backing for the tap and greatly strengthen it.

Where the tap is molded on the head the form shown in FIG. 6 may be preferred. In this form the heel 28 is provided with a reinforcing member 29 having a head 30 which is grooved or undercut. The tap 31 is molded directly on to the head and the grooved portion interlocks with the tap to hold it in place. This form has the same advantages as the form shown in FIG. 5.

I have thus provided an improvement over my copending application in which the heel reinforcing core is provided with a tempered steel head which acts as a heel plate to reduce wear and which permits the easy mounting of a tap made of metal or any other material.

"Other advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art.

I claim:

1. A heel for a womans shoe comprising a broad top portion tapering to an elongated very narrow bottom portion to form a narrow high heel having a very narrow bottom portion extending more than half the height of the heel, said heel having a central vertical opening extending from the bottom end through said narrow portion, an elongated rigid reinforcing member extending into said opening through said narrow portion of said heel, means for frictionally retaining said reinforcing member in said opening, said reinforcing member having an enlarged fiat head abutting the bottom of said heel, a tap for the bottom of said heel having a central opening for receiving said head, and means for mount ing said tap on said heel and for preventing rotating movement of said tap, said mounting means including a plurality of nails driven through said tap into said heel.

2. A plastic heel for a womans shoe comprising a broad top portion tapering to an elongated very narrow bottom portion to form a narrow high heel having a very narrow bottom portion extending more than half the height of the heel, said heel having a central vertical opening extending from the bottom end through said narrow portion, an elongated rigid hardened steel reinforcing member extending into said opening through said narrow portion of said heel, means for frictionally retaining said reinforcing member in said opening, said means including longitudinal flutings on said member, said reinforcing member having an enlarged fiat head abutting the bottom of said heel, a tap for the bottom of said heel having a central opening for receiving said head, and means for mounting said tap on said heel and for preventing rotating movement of said tap, said mounting means including a plurality of nails driven through said tap into said heel.

3. A heel for a womans shoe comprising a broad top portion tapering to an elongated very narrow bottom portion to form a narrow high heel having a very narrow bottom portion extending more than half the height of the heel, said heel having a central vertical opening extending from the bottom end through said narrow portion, an elongated rigid reinforcing member extending into said opening through said narrow portion of said heel, means for frictionally retaining said reinforcing member in said opening, said reinforcing member having an enlarged flat head abutting the bottom of said heel, a tap for the bottom of said heel having a central opening for receiving said head, and means for mounting said tap on said heel and for preventing rotating movement of said tap, said tap extending over said head and being glued to said head and heel.

4. A plastic heel for a womans shoe comprising a broad top portion tapering to an elongated very narrow bottom portion to form a narrow high heel having a very narrow bottom portion extending more than half the height of the heel, said heel having a central vertical opening extending from the bottom end through said narrow portion, an elongated rigid hardened steel reinforcing member extending into said opening through said narrow portion of said heel, means for frictionally retaining said reinforcing member in said opening, said means including longitudinal flutings on said member, said reinforcing member having an enlarged flat head abutting the bottom of said heel, a tap for the bottom of said heel having a central opening for receiving said head, and means for mounting said tap on said heel and for preventing rotating movement of said tap, said tap extending over said head and being glued to said head and heel.

5. A heel for a womans shoe comprising a broad top portion tapering to an elongated very narrow bottom portion to form a narrow high heel having a very narrow bottom portion extending more than half the height of the heel, said heel having a central vertical opening extending from the bottom end through said narrow portion, an elongated rigid reinforcing member extending into said opening through said narrow portion of said heel, means for frictionally retaining said reinforcing member in said opening, said reinforcing member having an enlarged fiat head abutting the bottom of said heel, a tap for the bottom of said heel having a central opening for receiving said head, and means for mounting said tap on said heel and for preventing rotating movement of said tap, said mounting means including a plurality of nails driven through said tap into said heel, said tap being made of leather.

6. A heel for a womans shoe comprising a broad top portion tapering to an elongated very narrow bottom portion to form a narrow high heel having a very narrow bottom portion extending more than half the height of the heel, said heel having a central vertical opening extending from the bottom end through said narrow portion, an elongated rigid reinforcing member extending into said opening through said narrow portion of said heel, means for frictionally retaining said reinforcing member in said opening, said reinforcing member having an enlarged flat head abutting the bottom of said heel, a tap for the bottom of said heel having a central opening for receiving said head, and means for mounting said tap on said heel and for preventing rotating movement of said tap, said mounting means including a plurality of nails. driven through said tap into said heel, said tap being made of nylon.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,069,585 2/1937 Marchant 3634 X 2,544,878 3/1951 Dratler 3634 X 2,852,864 9/1958 Quirk 36-34 FRANK J. COHEN, Primary Examiner.

EDWARD V. BENHAM, Examiner. 

1. A HEEL FOR A WOMAN''S SHOE COMPRISING A BROAD TOP PORTION TAPERING TO AN ELONGATED VERY NARROW BOTTOM PORTION TO FORM A NARROW HIGH HEEL HAVING A VERY NARROW BOTTOM PORTION EXTENDING MORE THAN HALF THE HEIGHT OF THE HEEL, SAID HEEL HAVING A CENTRAL VERTICAL OPENING EXTENDING FROM THE BOTTOM END THROUGH SAID NARROW PORTION, AN ELONGATED RIGID REINFORCING MEMBER EXTENDING INTO SAID OPENING THROUGH SAID NARROW PORTION OF SAID HEEL, MEANS FOR FRICTIONALLY RETAINING SAID REINFORCING MEMBER IN SAID OPENING, SAID REINFORCING MEMBER HAVING AN ENLARGED FLAT HEAD ABUTTING THE BOTTOM OF SAID HEEL, A TAP FOR THE BOTTOM OF SAID HEEL HAVING A CENTRAL OPENING FOR RECEIVING SAID HEAD, AND MEANS FOR MOUNTING SAID TAP ON SAID HEEL AND FOR PREVENTING ROTATING MOVEMENT OF SAID TAP, SAID MOUNTING MEANS INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF NAILS DRIVEN THROUGH SAID TAP INTO SAID HEEL. 